Foyer vs Hallway

Status
Not open for further replies.
scnkapc

scnkapc

Member
Location
Northern Kentucky
Is a foyer and/or entry considered to be a hallway? I say no. And according to 210.52 (A) (2) they are required to have receptacles located within 6' from door on any wall space that is greater than 2'. Example: Front door leads into the dwelling. Next to the door there are fixed glass panels on each side with wing walls approx. 3' feet in length. The foyer/entry area is approx. 10' x 10' with a staircase opposite the front door and open on each side-one opening to the dining room and one opening to the living room. Past the staircase leads into the kitchen. Are receptacles required within the wall spaces next to the front door or is it a hallway and only required to have a receptacle on the wall next to the stairway across from the front door?
 
Re: Foyer vs Hallway

I would tend to disagree, I think that a entry is a hallway even if it is 10' wide. 210.52(A) gives a list of types of rooms that are to fall under the general provisions and they are all habitable rooms.

The purpose of an entry or foyer is to enter the home or exit the home, not generally to gather for long periods of time such as a family room or other habitable room.

JMHO, Chris
 
Re: Foyer vs Hallway

Years ago, the code required a recep in the entry. I don't know why it was removed. Anymore, when it comes to an inspection, I check the plans to see if a recep is drawn in. I will inspect accordingly. So far no EC has challenged me. :) Ron
 
Re: Foyer vs Hallway

We treat a foyer as a hallway and install at least one receptacle unless it is so "broke up" (wall space) and small that a receptacle would be impractical or impossible to install.
 
Re: Foyer vs Hallway

Ron, how long ago? I went back to my first code book 1987 NEC and could not find it "entry" under 210.52 I would like to know for My own education. Thanks
 
Re: Foyer vs Hallway

Well, I just might have stuck my foot in my mouth. I started as an electrician under the '75 code & the oldest code I have in my office is '85. So, I hope someone with an older code book can help me remove my foot. I could swear I remember reading it somewhere.
 
Re: Foyer vs Hallway

I rather dought that anyone with a large foyer woul likely be using the room to watch tv or anything.If 10 feet or greater it needs 1 receptacle.It is not similar to living rooms,family room,or bed room.If your going to call this a hapitable room then what do you do in the laundry ?
 
Re: Foyer vs Hallway

When I inspect I treat the foyer as a hall and require one receptacle outlet.

In large foyers typical in todays new homes I find that there should be a receptacle in the corner near the front door because it is an ideal place for a table with a lamp on it,but I do not see any NEC section that requires it. I try to inspect according to the NEC not as this how we do it in my town.

romeo
 
Re: Foyer vs Hallway

as far as i can tell, the foyer, entry is not defined and therefore falls into the limbo of "playrooms", "dens", "phone rooms", and other such undefined living spaces. many foyers are just extensions of a larger room and should be treated as part of the larger room. Some are just hallways and if moderately wide might still be hallways.

But is arguable both ways. Consider a hallway 15' in length, 4' wide that goes to some back bedrooms. Now widen it to 15' and by the logic of the entry-is-alwas-a-hallway, this hallway is still a hallway, rather than an intervening room. it serves as a hallway. it serves as a room with only one outlet? This is obviously a case-by-case issue, not a NEC or UBC/IRC defines situation. "Parlor" is another undefined room, and as such by not being NEC referenced, seems to require nothing, but it is a habitable room and should require all the habitable items. I see foyers as rooms, with room for furniture placement, and thus the need for wall spacing receptacles. Entries can be a little tougher, often only wide enough for more than one person, not really much space; but make them big enough and i see outlets rquired.

paul
 
Re: Foyer vs Hallway

"Foyers are not required to have receptacles according to the NEC."

Dave
What section number did you find that in?


I think Paul's post covers this area very well. Also without seeing the actual foyer/entrance area, it is hard to say yes or no. I have seen foyer/entrances with tables and lamps...what would they plug the lamps into if there were no receptacles?
 
Re: Foyer vs Hallway

Pierre,

I agree with Paul also, to a degree. Since the NEC does not define rooms as to their naming and since each of us has their own experiences with what constitutes a foyer or an entryway or a parlor, we must draw upon some type of common sense approch as you suggest. I have been in some foyers that would qualify as a room with plenty of free wall space for tables and lamps and then there have been a few that had so many doorways and irregular shapes that there was no need for receptacles at all. When I see the latter, I check to see if there are receptacles in the joining rooms that will facilitate a vacuum cleaner for the foyer. These foyers have always had overhead lighting.
 
Re: Foyer vs Hallway

Dave

I understand the reasoning, it is just that your post seems to state definitively that it would not be required... I thought maybe I missed something... which would not be the first time. ;)
 
Re: Foyer vs Hallway

Pierre,
..it is just that your post seems to state definitively that it would not be required..
Click to expand...
Oh, it was intended to be definite! Just to make the point of nothing is definite all of the time. To say that "foyers always require receptacles" would be a little too definite also.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Top